Luke Littler’s performance in the first round of the 2025-26 PDC World Championship against Darius Labanauskas has garnered praise. Littler, aged 18, emerged victorious with a 3-0 win at the lively Alexandra Palace.
Despite his win, the reigning champion faced a tough challenge. Labanauskas, ranked 95th globally, impressively started the match by clinching the first leg with a 130 checkout on the bullseye.
Labanauskas pushed Littler to deciding legs in the first two sets before Littler managed to secure the victory. This win sets up a second-round encounter for Littler against either David Davies of Wales or Mario Vandenbogaerde from Belgium.
Reflecting on the match, Littler expressed his satisfaction with the outcome, acknowledging the nerves he felt initially. He emphasized the importance of winning the first set against the throw in settling his nerves and setting the tone for the match.
Sky Sports pundit Mark Webster commended Littler for his honesty and resilience in the face of a challenging opponent. Despite the test posed by Labanauskas, Littler demonstrated his skill and composure throughout the match.
Following this victory, Littler now has a 10-day break before his next match. Having previously lifted the Sid Waddell Trophy, he aims to defend his title in the upcoming final next month.
As the first round progresses, the competition will continue until next Friday, leading up to the final on Saturday, January 3, 2026. Fans can catch all the action of the PDC World Darts Championship live exclusively on Sky with Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle.